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​Can your students practice science, creative writing, and get exercise at the same time? Yes! Can they also expand vocabulary, strengthen problem-solving skills, and develop tech abilities beyond creating TikTok trends? Absolutely!

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In this workshop, you will learn the value of encouraging students to grab a notebook, head out for a walk with their classmates, and make observations—whether it’s in the school garden or out in the neighborhood.

 

Recently, I’ve been inspired by educators at The Michigan Learning Channel to see haiku not just as a writing project, but as a bridge between ELA, science, and environmental studies. Writing haiku outdoors brings new vocabulary to life, and pairing poems with images and videos deepens the storytelling experience.

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This ties into this year’s theme of digital storytelling at our Summer Institute in Digital Literacy. As an educator passionate about merging writing and visual media, I’ll show how haiku poems can evolve into multimedia projects using Adobe Express to support language development, multilingual learners, and creative engagement with curriculum.

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You will also get hands-on experience with Adobe Express, a free, web-based and mobile- friendly design tool ideal for video creation. We’ll learn how to build videos from scratch—integrating audio, video clips, text, and music—and explore ready-made templates designed for different social media platforms. By the end of the session, you'll see how a simple haiku walk can blossom into a vibrant, multimodal storytelling project that strengthens language development, content knowledge, and creative expression.

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